Leon Stevens's Blog, page 122
November 22, 2021
Music Monday: Songs You Might Want to Hear
NaNoWriMo Totals to Date: 13 580 words, 21 cups of coffee, one cup of Earl Grey, one cup of tea (unknown), two glasses of Rum & Coke, one glass of cabernet, and a half-pint of a Session IPA.
There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.
Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it.
Maybe you will find a new favorite.
Every time I decide on a song to share with you, three of four others come to mind. This one has been slipping down the list, so I thought I would get it out there.
Last week I mentioned that I try to avoid posting videos, especially if I think that it detracts from the song, but I watched this one and the ending told me otherwise.
-Leon
Black Friday/Cyber Monday Update
Different deals each day
Just a heads-up for this oneLeon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of three books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar and The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.
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November 21, 2021
Short Story Sunday: Well, short, short stories.
“Shouldn’t you be writing your novel?“
“My novella, you mean?”
“Isn’t it National Novel Writing Month?”
“Isn’t it about time you stopped badgering me?”
“Isn’t that remark disparaging to badgers?”
“Let me call one and ask.”
“Well?”
“I’m on hold. Want to hear a story?”
“One of yours?”
“Yes. One of mine.”
[silence]
“Sure. I got nothing better to do for the next 28.6 seconds.”
What’s Heavier?
What’s heavier, the blade or the handle of a knife? It all depends on the type of knife, I suppose. I thought of this conundrum as I watched mine slide off the edge of the countertop and tumble downwards, after I carelessly knocked it with my hand while reaching for the onion.
Had I not spend the time mulling over this question, I may have been able to move my foot a few centimeters to the left. But I did mull, and I didn’t move.
I still don’t know the answer, but I discovered that I am out of bandages.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of three books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar and The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.
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November 20, 2021
Weekend Wrap-up / Nov 20
NaNoWriMo Totals to Date: 13 580 words, 19 cups of coffee, one cup of Earl Grey, one cup of tea (unknown), two glasses of Rum & Coke, one glass of cabernet, and a half-pint of a Session IPA.
Weekend Wrap-up:Did I mention that I’m a slow writer? 1000 at a sitting (usually an hour or two) is doable and I occasionally reach that, but 300-800 is usually the norm. If I had all day to write, maybe I’d have more, but I’m like a bucket under a leaky pipe.
Huh?
It fills up slowly drip by drip, then when it’s full you dump it out before having to wait for it to fill again.
From my blog this week:I revisited some reading related posts from a year ago, but I won’t repost the reposts.
Music Monday: Songs You Might Want to Hear – Like Canadian musicians? We got lots. Here’s one.
Nov 19 – Free Book Friday / Interview: In Conversation With Author Dani Hoots
From the blogs of other’s:https://storyempirecom.wordpress.com/2021/11/19/writing-and-ideas/https://fromcavewalls.wordpress.com/2021/11/18/throwback-thursday-13-snack-time/-Leon
Visit my Book and Merch page for your chance to win a poetry book.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of three books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar and The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.
www.linesbyleon.com
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November 19, 2021
Nov 19 – Free Book Friday / Interview: In Conversation With Author Dani Hoots
Thank you, WordPress, for making the editing screen font really big after months of being really small. A warning or heads-up would have been nice.
NaNoWriMo Totals to Date: 13 209 words, 18 cups of coffee, one cup of Earl Grey, one cup of tea (unknown), two glasses of Rum & Coke, one glass of cabernet, and a half-pint of a Session IPA.
About the interviews:
When I published my first book, I looked for ways to reach new readers, and being a brand new author, participating in various book bloggers interviews was a good way to start. Some interviews were standard questions, while others had more individuality built into them.
I then did a twist on the author interview by interviewing myself (Leon Interviews Himself). I then thought it would be fun to get to know some of the authors I was cross-promoting with, and the Friday Conversations were born. Guess what? They are a lot of work. I look up the authors information, visit the website so I can craft a unique set of questions (OK, there are a few standard ones) to let my readership get to know these new authors. Worth the work? You bet. Here is today’s conversation:
Dani Hoots is a science fiction, fantasy, romance, and young adult author who loves anything with a story. She has a B.S. in Anthropology, a Masters of Urban and Environmental Planning, a Certificate in Novel Writing from Arizona State University, and a BS in Herbal Science from Bastyr University.
In Conversation With Author Dani Hoots
Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with author Dani Hoots. Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for having me! I am excited to be here.
Wait till you get your parting gift… Beverage of choice?
Tea or scotch.
Nice. You have written a couple of books, like…about 50? Just a hobby for you, I guess?
Heh people like to call it a hobby but it is definitely a job. I spend about 8 hours a day writing or editings. I love creating worlds and characters and once they come alive in my head, I have to write them or they will nag me to no end.
I spend 8 hours a day trying to write…What was the first book that you wrote?
The first book I wrote was The Quest. I actually wrote it in high school, but of course edited a bunch before publishing.
When you are not writing, what are you doing?
Reading, watching anime, hiking, and making tea.
I saw that you have an apothecary. So that makes you… born 500 years too late?
Or perhaps I was alive 500 years ago and I am back now! Herbal tea is definitely big right now though, especially with Christmas coming…
If you could go back and be born at a different time, would you?
I think we romanticize the past a lot, but also the present isn’t that great so maybe? If I did, it would probably ancient Sweden. But thinking about it makes me cold…
Channeling your inner Viking?
I definitely have a full Viking Apron dress I wear at the Renaissance Faire.
Have you ever found any money?
I have found like $20 in a parking lot. I also watched $5 fly out my car window. Oh actually, I found a $200 giftcard to Safeway but I turned it in as it could have been someone’s food money. To be honest though, I sat in my car for a while before making that decision.
I think you made the right one. It would have been easy to take it, butthat choice would probably have always weighed on you.
Perhaps. But I am pretty sure that the guy we gave it to pocketed it since he didn’t write anything down.
Sigh…
What’s something you say that you think is funny, but no one else does?
Werewolf jokes
Care to share one?
How do you stop a werewolf from attacking you? Throw a stick and shout “fetch!”
Sigh…I always ask my guests about music. Any favorites?
I am really loving UNWELL/Matt Copley, Falling in Reverse, La Femme Pendu, and Melanie Martinez, but I love anime music, punk rock, and some metal. I have a western playlist going for my current series, but I claim it’s not country music.
Some country doesn’t sound like country these days. Some good stuff, though.
Care to partake in the lightning round?
Suuuurrrrreeee?
Desert or Dessert?
Desert
Rock or Roll?
Rock
Otters or Penguins?
Penguins most definitely
Favorite city?
Edinburgh
Shamrock shakes. Yea or Nae?
I have no idea
How many digits of Pi do you know?
I have dyslexia so I cannot for the life of me memorize numbers. So 3.14
At least you know the least you should know!
This has been fun, but we must wrap it up. Any links you wish to add?
My upcoming book REVENGE, which just won the Firebird Book Award, comes out November 16th and is an LGBT Sci-fi Western. Check it out here: https://danihoots.com/books/revenge/. And check out my other 8347243927 books here: https://danihoots.com/books/
8347243927 books? Touché.
New BookFunnel and StoryOrigin PromosThe story behind Free Book Friday:
I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?
Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. There lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.
Purchase Links
Visit my Book and Merch page for your chance to win a poetry book.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of three books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar and The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.
www.linesbyleon.com
Purchase paperback directly for the author!Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
November 18, 2021
Throwback Thursday: Paper or eBook?
NNaNoWriMo Totals to Date: 12 536 words, 17 cups of coffee, one cup of Earl Grey, one cup of tea (unknown), two glasses of Rum &Coke, one glass of cabernet, and a half-pint of a Session IPA.
Here’s another post from the annals of history:
https://linesbyleon.com/2021/01/03/reading-paper-or-ebookOK, it was only at the beginning of this year. But I got to use the word ‘annals’.
Visit my Book and Merch page for your chance to win a poetry book.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of three books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar and The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.
www.linesbyleon.com
Purchase paperback directly for the author!
November 17, 2021
Weird Wednesday: NaNoWriMo/Cartoons
I woke up this morning and realized that I had not fully prepared my newsletter for today, or my post. Why am I telling you this? Probably because I am obsessed with word count (not really) during NaNoWriMo. I also realized that I missed posting my Miniscules cartoon to Instagram. Actually, I missed drawing it completely, so there is a special one (Special? That’s a bit of an overstatement) included today.*
NNaNoWriMo Totals to Date: 11 772 words, 16 cups of coffee, one cup of Earl Grey, one cup of tea (unknown), two glasses of Rum &Coke, one glass of cabernet, and a half-pint of a Session IPA.
CartoonsThe Untitled
People have been asking me, “Leon, what is the first cartoon you drew?” (Well, that’s a lie.) But here it is:
The Miniscules: The Very First One.
My newsletter goes out on Wednesdays:
Lines by Leon Newsletter: November 17
*71 words
.
Visit my Book and Merch page for your chance to win a poetry book.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of three books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar and The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.
www.linesbyleon.com
Purchase paperback directly for the author!Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
November 16, 2021
Time Machine Tuesday: Reading and Watching
NNaNoWriMo Totals to Date: 11 400 words, 15 cups of coffee, one cup of Earl Grey, one cup of tea (unknown), two glasses of Rum &Coke, one glass of cabernet, and a half-pint of a Session IPA.
Here are two reading related posts from early in my blogging … Journey? Foray? Venture? Career? —no, definitely not career.
https://linesbyleon.com/2020/12/29/read-the-movie-or-watch-the-book/https://linesbyleon.com/2020/12/31/thursday-thoughts-re-reads/-Leon
Visit my Book and Merch page for your chance to win a poetry book.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of three books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar and The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.
www.linesbyleon.com
Purchase paperback directly for the author!
November 15, 2021
Music Monday: Songs You Might Want to Hear
NaNoWriMo Totals to Date: 10 653 words, 13 cups of coffee, one cup of Earl Grey, one cup of tea (unknown), two glasses of Rum &Coke, one glass of cabernet, and a half-pint of a Session IPA.
There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.
Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it.
Maybe you will find a new favorite.
Many may not know of Hawksley Workman. Now you do.
For the longest time I always thought this song was by Rufus Wainwright Jr. (something from him later, perhaps). Why do I like it? It sounds sad, yet it has an affirmation that everything is going to be all right. The guitar and drums are simple and the synthesizer adds a little uplift.
I try to avoid posting videos of songs. I don’t tend to watch them, and most times I hear the audio first—and prefer it that way. Some songs are best when you sit back and close your eyes—unless you are driving of course.
-Leon
Leon
Visit my Book and Merch page for your chance to win a poetry book.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of three books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar and The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.
www.linesbyleon.com
Purchase paperback directly for the author!Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
November 13, 2021
Weekend Wrap-up / NaNoWriMo Day 13
NaNoWriMo Totals to Date: 8218 words, 12 cups of coffee, one cup of Earl Grey, one cup of tea (unknown), one glass Rum &Coke, one glass of cabernet, and a half-pint of a Session IPA.
I had a few author interview questionnaires to put together, so I got caught up on those. Now back to the writing.
Weekend Wrap-upFrom my blog this week:I hope you have enjoyed some of the revisits of some of my earlier and favorite posts. I have to admit that I had to edit a bit before linking. a few spelling errors and outdated reference needed to be fixed.
From the blogs of other’s:I visited some blogs that had the tag NaNoWriMo to see what other writer’s experiences has been so far and to offer encouragement and congratulations. One writer has already finished the required 50K words.
Keener…
OK. Now back to the writing.
Visit my Book and Merch page for your chance to win a poetry book.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of three books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar and The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.
www.linesbyleon.com
Purchase paperback directly for the author!Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
November 12, 2021
Free Book Friday / My latest Interview: In Conversation With Author Cara Cilento
About the interviews:
When I published my first book, I looked for ways to reach new readers, and being a brand new author, participating in various book bloggers interviews was a good way to start. Some interviews were standard questions, while others had more individuality built into them.
I then did a twist on the author interview by interviewing myself (Leon Interviews Himself). I then thought it would be fun to get to know some of the authors I was cross-promoting with, and the Friday Conversations were born. Guess what? They are a lot of work (the interviews, not the authors). I look up the authors information, visit the website so I can craft a unique set of questions (OK, there are a few standard ones) to let my readership get to know these new authors. Worth the work? You bet. Here is today’s conversation:
Cara Cilento has been a speech therapist for over twenty years in various public schools. Currently, she lives in suburban North Jersey on her own terms. Cara defines her own personal success as living her truth and not what is expected of her. Snapshots: Say Cheese! is her first published book which has taken a lifetime of experiences—traumatic, joyful, abusive, healing and reaffirming—as her muse.
In Conversation With Author Cara CilentoToday I have the pleasure of sitting down with author Cara Cilento. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for having me.
I always begin with the offer of a beverage. Pick your poison.
Thanks! I’ll have a Moscow Mule. It’s five o’clock somewhere, right?
You bet! Tell us about the “Living Now” Award. Is that like the Nobel Prize or something?
Oh, if it was only that simple! The Living Now Book Awards aim to promote the year’s greatest lifestyle books and their authors. They pick books that help us learn how to live healthier, more meaningful, and more productive lives for ourselves and our loved ones. The Living Now Book Awards honor new books that may help us better our lives, from cooking and entertaining to fitness and travel.
Did you have a love of reading and writing as a child?
Absolutely! I would sit for hours on the porch and read. In elementary school, I would go to the library all the time. I would take out books like Encyclopedia Brown to Ramona The Brave. On vacations, my suitcases had at least three books packed. I must have been the only kid in High School that loved Summer Reading.
It’s so easy for kids to forget school once summer rolls around and the ones who would benefit the most by doing it are the ones who do it the least.
Absolutely. Interestingly, I found that many children aren’t exposed to reading, especially with the onset of tablets and iPhones. Using a tablet to expose you to reading and phonics is just not the same. You would be surprised how many children I have taught that do not know simple nursery rhymes, but that’s a conversation for another day.
What was the first book that you wrote?
Hiccup the Magic Elf. I think I was in fourth grade got gold star and a special pencil. Did you mean professionally? Oh, Snapshots was my first.
No. The first book is the first book. That’s a great title, Hiccup the Magic Elf. Could be a book in the works?
I have thought about it. It’s on my to-do list along with my middle grade historical fiction.
When you are not writing, what are you doing?
When I am not writing, I am doing things with my family and, get ready for it…I ghost hunt. I go once a month, at least.
I have never met a ghost hunter before. Care to share a quick story?
I’d love to. A few months ago, I was investigating a haunted bed and breakfast in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Historically, Gettysburg is a fascinating place to begin with, but it is known for having hauntings. So, as I was walking though a field, I decided to take pictures. I always set my camera to take shots in rapid succession and in the first picture, there is a picture of forest. In the second, there is a picture of the same forest with white mist around the base of the trees. The third picture the mist was gone. I can’t explain it but that’s the point, right? To see things you can’t explain.
Ohhhhh…goosebumps.
The blurb for your book, Snapshots, sounds like soul-searching and the revealing of your inner feelings. Is this an apt description?
It is actually. When it was being released, many friends asked me how I felt about putting my journey on the page for everyone to read because it puts your vulnerability on display, but I never thought there was anything revealing about it. I think everyone feels vulnerable when they are seeking autonomy and finding themselves.
And not everyone is able to manifest those feeling into words—which is where us poets come in right?
Yes. I try to make the implicit explicit using the flexibility of language.
You mention on your blog “…being an award-winning author who writes with LGBTQ+ themes is hardest of all.” What I find hard is saying the acronym. I’ve seen several other versions: LGBTQ2, LGBTQ2S, LGBTQ2s+, LGBTQIAPK, LGBTQIA+, LGBTQQIP2SAA. Any thoughts for people who may be confused with this?
There are a lot of versions and everything keeps changing. I even wrote a blog about how the gay flag has changed so I understand where people can become confused. I think we should all be focused on making the world a better place for the straight and LGBT+ community. I think the time we spend on what we call ourselves could be better spent on people and not labels.
I agree. You also have a love for photography. What catches your eye to say, “I need to capture that” ?
I love street photography. I love taking pictures of people in their every day which captures a slice of life or a glimpse of their human condition. Even if it’s the ugly truth I think there is beauty in it. I am actually having a showing in November.
I have a few like that, I actually put together a short video with music of some places I have been.
I always ask my guests about music. Any favorites?
I love jazz music. I was supposed to go to New Orleans for their poetry festival but due to travel restrictions, it was canceled. I’m a live music junkie though. I was driving to see Alanis Morissette in inclement weather when it was canceled due to a tornado. I was determined to go.
New Orleans is definitely worth the trip for jazz and music lovers. Even during the slow season, there is music everywhere. Literally.
Care to give the lightning round a go?
Absolutely— Wait—let me finish my drink…okay, go.
Hidden talent?
I manage to lose my mug of coffee daily. My kids bought me a Tile. You know that square you put on your keys so you can find them? Yea well they bought me one to put on my coffee mug.
I hear you. Nickel or dime?
Dime. Nickels are bulky.
What is the oldest thing you own?
I just actually found a doll I had as a child and it is not one of those cute little “aww put it in the crib” dolls. It’s one of those you would see in a horror movie. I don’t know what my family was thinking when they gave it to me and now I have questions.
Favorite city?
Joplin, Missouri. That’s where my wife is from.
Shamrock shakes. Yea or Nae?
Oh yea.
How many digits of Pi do you know?
3.14159…and I usually round it up to 3.1416
Nice. It makes the circles more accurate that way.
This has been fun, but we need to wrap it up. Any links you wish to add?
For latest news on my next book and works in progress you can find me at www.caracilento.com.
Cara’s Photographs:
The story behind Free Book Friday:
I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?
Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. There lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.
New Promotions from StoryOrigin and BookFunnelPaperbacks? Yeah. We still do those!
Visit my Book and Merch page for your chance to win a poetry book.
Leon Stevens is a blogger, composer, artist, and an author of three books (so far): Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar and The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.
www.linesbyleon.com
Purchase paperback directly for the author!Not ready to purchase yet?
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free eBook of your choice.
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
